‘The Big Sick’
If you’re looking for a shoe-in Oscar nom to savor this Thanksgiving, look no further than the indie comedy The Big Sick. This heartwarming tale of love, loss, and family stars Kumail Nanjiani as a struggling stand-up comedian who falls for Emily (Zoe Kazan), a woman who heckles him at a show. The two start dating, but shortly afterwards, Emily falls into a coma, and Kumail must navigate the crisis with the help of Emily’s parents (an excellent Holly Hunter and Ray Romano). Based on the true-life story of screenwriters Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the film’s comedy—and its heart—comes not from the larger plot, but from small moments of humanity that anyone can identify with.